Director of Communications

Want to make a difference? Want to help support young adults in goal setting for their education and future? Then come work for First Place for Youth!

ABOUT US:

First Place for Youth is the largest provider of housing and comprehensive services for transition-age foster youth in the state of California. We’re giving young people the tools, support, and opportunities they need to take control of their own lives and create the futures they want. We’ve built a 20+ year record of success, measured not just by the number of youth who walk through our doors, but by the outcomes they achieve.

POSITION SUMMARY:

The Director of Communications will partner with First Place leaders to build the reach and recognition for First Place for Youth to be viewed as the pre-eminent extended foster care provider and thought partner in the U.S. This strategic role will elevate the First Place brand and shape key messages that help staff and board build and cultivate relationships and awareness among key constituencies, including funders, policymakers, potential partners, media and internal stakeholders. Working closely with the leadership team, the director will partner on initiatives aimed at building capacity for extended foster care among providers, policymakers and other thought leaders. Reporting to the Chief Development Officer and managing the Communications Associate, the Director of Communications will set and guide a coherent brand strategy, and manage digital and printed materials, events, and public relations that consistently articulate First Place for Youth’s mission, programs, services, and activities.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Evaluate current communications procedures to develop and implement annual communications plans in concert with key departmental, organizational and fundraising strategies. Lead content strategy to systematically engage key audiences. Decide to whom, what, where, and when to disseminate.
• Manage the development, distribution, and maintenance of print and electronic collateral including, but not limited to, newsletters, annual reports, research and policy briefs, online appeals, blog posts, brochures, and First Place for Youth’s website.
• Manage public relations strategy including updating the key press target list, cultivating media contacts and building a speaker’s bureau that spotlights First Place subject matter experts for speaking engagements and content opportunities such as Opinion Editorials, contributed editorial content and press releases.
• Mentor and manage a Communications Associate responsible for raising awareness of FPFY strategic initiatives and outcomes with social media, E-news, blog, internal communications, and website updates, content, analytics as well as event logistics.
• Assure strategic and logistics management for donor events including house parties, annual donor luncheons, small career and resume chats, webinars, virtual events and more.
• You can paint a picture with words. You are a master at using simple language and graphics to convey complex data for coherent, resonant and actionable messaging online, in printed material and in outreach to the press and the public.
• You enjoy working in data-informed organizations and conveying the numbers that best showcase the need and outcomes for your organization.
• You are a highly collaborative relationship builder with the experience, flexibility and finesse to “manage by influence” and an entrepreneurial self-starter, who enjoys implementing new initiatives and can work independently to lead communications strategies for key initiatives.
• You are an experienced leader and can roll up your sleeves to get the work done at any level, with the ability to serve as a unifying force and to position brand and communications discussions at strategic and tactical levels.

BENEFITS

• Full-time position
• 15 days of vacation time in year one
• 12 days of sick time
• 2 flexible holidays
• 14 paid holidays
• Paid sabbatical
• Paid maternity and paternity leave
• Employee’s choice of Kaiser or UCH HMO/PPO
• Up to 90% of premium covered by First Place
• Delta Dental Premium PPO
• VSP Vision

ABOUT YOU

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least seven years of communications experience, including website content, events newsletters, and donor communications. Previous experience will demonstrate the ability to write and convey complex data and information in simple terms. Expertise in identifying and growing target audiences by optimizing distribution channels is critical. You can share work samples showing how you translated industry terminology for lay audiences.
• Experience managing virtual and live events: including webinars, small virtual events, house parties, luncheons, and galas—including speaker prep, vendors, logistics, strategy, guest experience, and collateral.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, and presentation skills, Communicates clearly and effectively with co-workers, supervisors, and youth. Must be able to comprehend, follow, and clearly convey instructions to others.
• Highly organized with superior attention to detail and project management.
• Computer Skills–Proficiency with Office 2010 applications including MS Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, Project, and Outlook required. Experience with performance management systems preferred. Previous experience working in WordPress, MS PowerPoint and SharePoint, Adobe Creative Suite, MailChimp, Hootsuite, and Facebook business manager interfaces preferred.
• Must be able to work on a computer for up to 40 hours per week. This hybrid role includes some work from home and some time in the office as well as some work at night and on weekends as needed.
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion – Committed to First Place for Youth’s dedication to thread accountability across all efforts to support and sustain a racially equitable organization. Demonstrate a passion for advancing organizational DEI objectives and influencing others to approach all work with an equity lens. Promote processes and communication that encourage organizational cultural competence and inclusion.

If First Place for Youth is the organization you are looking for then apply today! Our team will be excited to meet you.

www.firstplaceforyouth.org

First Place for Youth